Fostering Happiness: A Pilot Study on Enhancing Psychological Well-Being of Nursing Students
Erica Blumenstock, Debra Penrod, Heather Brown
Nursing Reports September 4, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep16090318 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pretest-post-test pilot study Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | Junior-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at a rural university, recruited by convenience sampling |
| Intervention | meditation |
| Duration | Three-day retreat; post-test timing not stated |
| Measures | Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (Mini-MASQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) |
| Key findings | Participation in the SKY Happiness Retreat© was associated with a modest decrease in perceived stress (PSS mean 18.50 to 17.30) and a larger decrease in general distress (Mini-MASQ mean 15.51 to 12.82), with no significant change in anxious arousal or anhedonic depression and a small increase in resilience. The authors suggest the program shows promise for integration into prelicensure nursing curricula but note that larger, longitudinal studies are needed. |
Abstract
Background: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing students and educators are navigating an increasingly complex academic environment. The rigorous demands of nursing education, combined with diminished academic preparedness and growing mental health concerns, have heightened the need for effective wellness interventions. The SKY Happiness Retreat©, an evidence-based program incorporating breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness practices, offers a potential strategy to enhance student resilience and reduce stress.
Purpose: This pilot study examined the impact of integrating the SKY Happiness Retreat© into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This study evaluated whether participation reduced perceived stress and improved students’ ability to manage stressful situations.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest–post-test design was used with junior-level BSN students recruited through convenience sampling at a rural university. Participants completed a structured three-day retreat focused on breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness. Outcomes were measured using the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (Mini-MASQ), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS).
Results: Perceived stress significantly decreased following the intervention (PSS: pre M = 18.50, SD = 4.583; post M = 17.30, SD = 5.841; t(43) = 2.072, p = 0.022). General distress also significantly improved (Mini-MASQ: pre M = 15.51, SD = 6.535; post M = 12.82, SD = 5.118; t(44) = 3.941, p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in anxious arousal or anhedonic depression. BRS scores demonstrated a modest increase in resilience.
Conclusions: The SKY Happiness Retreat© shows promise as an experiential learning strategy within undergraduate nursing education. Findings suggest participation was associated with reductions in perceived stress and general distress while promoting resilience. Integrating evidence-based wellness programs into prelicensure nursing curricula may better prepare students to manage academic and professional stress. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness.